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UPDATE: 9 test presumptive positive for coronavirus in Aspen

A women sets up for the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment first community testing center for COVID-19 at the state lab on Wednesday, March 11, 2020 in Denver, Colo. For most people, the new coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms. For some it can cause more severe illness, especially in older adults and people with existing health problems.
RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post via AP

Six additional people who were traveling in Aspen with an Australian woman who later tested positive for COVID-19 when she returned home have tested “presumptive positive” for the virus, Pitkin County authorities said in a Wednesday afternoon press release.

The latest number of presumptive positive cases was reported after three others were reported this morning, bringing the total number to nine.

“Pitkin County Incident Management Team is in contact with those who tested presumptively positive as well as the local properties impacted. Systems are in place to address the needs of the affected individuals. The property managers have been given information on how to protect themselves and proper cleaning procedures to prevent the spread of Coronavirus,” the release said.



Those who have tested presumptive positive won’t be considered positive until the Centers for Disease Control confirms the tests, according to the release.

“There is still one test outstanding,” according to the afternoon press release from the Pitkin County incident management team.



The testing process is overseen by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.

All told, 13 people are in isolation in Aspen. Nine have been tested so far, while one test is pending. Authorities have ordered three other individuals, who initially declined to be tested, also to be held isolation until March 18 when they will have to pass two tests certifying that they are free of the virus.

In addition to being in contact with those in quarantine in Aspen, authorities are also is in contact with local properties where they are staying, the release states.

“The property managers have been given information on how to protect themselves and proper cleaning procedures to prevent the spread of coronavirus,” according to the release.

Pitkin County Public Health has established a local Coronavirus Hotline 970-429-6186 staffed from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., seven days a week, where it can be determined if a person meets the criteria for Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) testing. 

PITKIN COUNTY INFORMATION

Pitkin County Public Health officials have a few ways to get updates on the coronavirus:

— Local information can be found at pitkincounty.com/coronavirus.

— A Pitkin County Public Health Facebook page has been launched to share information.

— Subscribe to Pitkin Alert for text message updates. Text the number 888 777 and write CVIRUS in the message.

— Real-time information about the virus is available on the Colorado Health Emergency Hotline: 1-877-462-2911.

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